Ultrapolar telescopic and non-telescopic electrosurgery pencils with argon beam capability and ultrapolar electrosurgery blade assembly

ABSTRACT

Ultrapolar telescopic and non-telescopic electrosurgery pencils with argon beam capability which are capable of using monopolar energy in a bipolar mode for cutting and coagulation and which are also capable of using an ionized gas for cutting and coagulation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application relates to provisional patent application having Ser.No. 62/383,855 entitled “Ultrapolar Electrosurgery Blade Assembly AndPencil For Use In ESU Monopolar and Bipolar Modes,” filed Sep. 6, 2016,and its related utility patent application having Ser. No. 15697,335filed Sep. 6, 2017 and provisional patent application having Ser. No.62/404,292 entitled “Ultrapolar Telescopic Electrosurgery Pencil,” filedOct. 5, 2016, and its related utility patent application having Ser. No.15/725,640 filed Oct. 5, 2017 which are all herein incorporated byreference in their entireties. This application also claims priority toprovisional patent application having Ser. No. 62/465,729 entitled“Ultrapolar Electrosurgery Pencil With Argon Beam Capability,” filedMar. 1, 2017 and provisional patent application having Ser. No.62/465,708 entitled “Ultrapolar Telescopic Electrosurgery Pencil WithArgon Beam Capability,” filed Mar. 1, 2017 which are both hereinincorporated by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to ultrapolar telescopic andnon-telescopic electrosurgery pencils with argon beam capability whichare capable of using monopolar energy in a bipolar mode for cutting andcoagulation and which is also capable of using an ionized gas forcutting and coagulation. The present invention is also directed to anultrapolar electrosurgery blade assembly that is used in both theultrapolar telescopic and non-telescopic electrosurgery pencils havingargon beam capability.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electrosurgery uses an RF electrosurgical generator (also known as anelectrosurgical unit or ESU) and a handpiece with an electrode toprovide high frequency, alternating radio frequency (RF) current inputat various voltages to cut or coagulate biological tissue. The handpiecemay be a monopolar instrument with one electrode or a bipolar instrumentwith two electrodes. When using a monopolar instrument, a returnelectrode pad is attached to the patient and the high frequencyelectrical current flows from the generator, to the monopolarinstrument, through the patient to the patient return electrode pad, andback to the generator. Monopolar electrosurgery is commonly used due toits versatility and effectiveness. However, the excessive heat generatedwith monopolar electrosurgery can cause excessive tissue damage andnecrosis of the tissue because the return electrode positioned on theback of the patient causes high voltage and high RF energy to passthrough the patient.

In bipolar electrosurgery, active output and patient return functionsboth occur at the surgery site because both the active and returnelectrodes are contained in the bipolar instrument. Therefore, the pathof the electrical current is confined to the biological tissue locatedbetween the active and return electrodes. Although bipolarelectrosurgery enables the use of lower voltages and less energy thanmonopolar electrosurgery and thereby reduces or eliminates thelikelihood of tissue damage and sparking associated with monopolarelectrosurgery, it has limited ability to cut and coagulate largebleeding areas.

It is also common to use argon beam coagulators during electrosurgery.In argon beam coagulation (ABC), current is applied to tissue by adirected beam of ionized argon gas which causes a uniform and shallowcoagulation surface thereby stopping blood loss. However, argon beamenhanced cutting may also be performed using application of an ionizedargon gas.

At present, electrosurgery is often the best method for cutting andargon beam coagulation is often the best method for cessation ofbleeding during surgery. Surgeons typically need to switch between argonbeam coagulation and electrosurgery modes depending on what is happeningduring the surgery and what they need to achieve at a particular pointin the surgery such as cutting, or making incisions in tissue, orstopping the bleeding at the surgical site.

However, since surgical tools and devices currently available tosurgeons require switching between these two methods during the surgicalprocedure, there is a need for a surgical device or tool that enables asurgeon or user to utilize the best methods used for cutting andcessation of bleeding at the surgical site at the same time, orsimultaneously, in addition to being able to use them separately. Anelectrosurgery blade assembly with argon beam capability and telescopicand non-telescopic electrosurgery pencils with argon beam capabilitythat utilize such an electrosurgery blade assembly can provide a user orsurgeon with safe, efficient, effective, and flexible ways to both cutund coagulate tissue during electrosurgery. With this type of device, auser or surgeon can use monopolar energy in a bipolar mode for cuttingand coagulation and can also use ionized gas for cutting and coagulationwithout excessive tissue damage and necrosis of the tissue.

The ultrapolar telescopic and non-telescopic electrosurgery pencilsdescribed with reference to the present invention can be used in bothmonopolar and bipolar modes thereby providing flexibility to a surgeonor operator. The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil describedwith reference to the present invention also enables a user or surgeonto more easily and efficiently access the surgical site with enhancedviewing capability by extending the telescopic member of the pencil aswell as the electrosurgery blade positioned within the telescopic memberof the pencil. Embodiments of the ultrapolar telescopic andnon-telescopic electrosurgery pencils described with reference to thepresent invention also enable a user or surgeon to evacuate smoke and/ordebris from the surgical site while being able to perform precisecutting at the surgical site as well as cutting and coagulation oftissue areas located at the surgical site.

SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The exemplary embodiments of the ultrapolar telescopic andnon-telescopic electrosurgery pencils with argon beam capability of thepresent invention enable a user or surgeon to perform cutting with thesharp non-conductive edge of the electrosurgery blade, cutting with theactive and return electrodes of the electrosurgery blade, coagulatinglarge areas of biological tissue by using both active and returnelectrodes on the electrosurgery blade, and cutting and coagulatingtissue using ionized gas that projects from the non-conductive hollowtube member that is positioned over a return electrode or an activeelectrode contained on the electrosurgery blade. A particularly new andinnovative feature of the ultrapolar telescopic and non-telescopicelectrosurgery pencils with argon beam capability of the presentinvention is the ability of a user or surgeon to simultaneously cuttissue with the sharp non-conductive edge of the electrosurgery bladewhile coagulating tissue using ionized gas that projects from thenon-conductive hollow tube member that is positioned over a returnelectrode or an active electrode contained on the electrosurgery blade.The ultrapolar telescopic and non-telescopic electrosurgery pencils withargon beam capability of the present invention provide a user or surgeonwith safe, efficient, effective, and flexible ways to both cut andcoagulate tissue during electrosurgery. The ultrapolar telescopic andnon-telescopic electrosurgery pencils with argon beam capability of thepresent invention are much safer for the patient than otherelectrosurgery instruments and methods due to the fact that high voltageand high RF energy do not need to pass through the patient duringelectrosurgery. In addition, the telescoping ability of the ultrapolartelescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability of thepresent invention enables a user or surgeon to adjust the length of theultrapolar electrosurgery pencil to better accommodate accessingdifferent surgical sites.

Further, the ultrapolar telescopic and non-telescopic electrosurgerypencils with argon beam coagulation of the present invention can operateat extremely low power, such as 5 to 15 Watts. As a result, lateraldamage to tissue is minimal during cutting with the ultrapolartelescopic and non-telescopic electrosurgery pencils of the presentinvention and the composition of the electrosurgery blade assembly usedwith the ultrapolar telescopic and non-telescopic electrosurgery pencilsof the present invention minimizes the build-up of eschar and deadtissue on the surfaces of the blade during electrosurgical proceduresthereby eliminating the need to stop a surgical procedure to clean offthe electrosurgery blade.

The ultrapolar telescopic and non-telescopic electrosurgery pencils withargon beam capability are capable of using monopolar energy in a bipolarmode for cutting and coagulation using an electrosurgery blade. Theultrapolar telescopic and non-telescopic electrosurgery pencils withargon beam capability of the present invention are also capable of usingan ionized gas for cutting and coagulation thereby providing a user orsurgeon with a variety of ways to perform cutting and/or coagulation oftissue during an operative procedure.

In one exemplary embodiment, the ultrapolar electrosurgery bladeassembly contained within the ultrapolar telescopic and non-telescopicelectrosurgery pencils with argon beam capability of the presentinvention includes a non-conductive planar member having opposing planarsides and a sharp cutting edge, a return electrode located on oneopposing planar side, an active electrode located on the opposite planarside, and a non-conductive hollow tube member positioned over a top ofthe non-conductive planar member and at least a portion of the returnelectrode. The return electrode may comprise a conductive return layerand a conductive return projection that is located within thenon-conductive hollow tube member. This enables a gas supplied from aconductive hollow tube (such as that contained within a handpiece memberof a non-telescopic electrosurgery pencil or within a hollow telescopicmember of a telescopic electrosurgery pencil as later described withreference to the ultrapolar telescopic and non-telescopic electrosurgerypencils with argon beam capability of the present invention) into thenon-conductive hollow tube member to be ionized as it comes into contactwith a conductive active projection extending from the conductive hollowtube and the conductive return projection of the return electrodethereby enabling both cutting and coagulation of tissue without highvoltage and high RF energy passing through the patient.

In one exemplary embodiment of the ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil withargon beam capability of the present invention, the ultrapolarelectrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability is non-telescopic andincludes a handpiece member having a first end, a second end, and achannel contained therein, an electrosurgery blade assembly positionedwithin the first end of the handpiece member where the electrosurgeryblade assembly includes a non-conductive planar member with opposingplanar sides and a sharp cutting edge, a return electrode located on theone opposing planar side, an active electrode located on the otheropposing planar side, and a non-conductive hollow tube member positionedover a top of the non-conductive planar member and at least a portion ofthe return electrode, a first conductive hollow tube having a first endand a second end where at least a portion of the first conductive hollowtube is concentrically contained within the non-conductive hollow tubemember of the electrosurgery blade assembly such that the first end ofthe first conductive hollow tube is positioned near the first end of thenon-conductive hollow tube member, a flexible non-conductive tubecontained within at least a portion of the ultrapolar electrosurgerypencil which provides a gas to the first conductive hollow tube, and aplurality of electrical conductors (such as wires) for connecting thereturn electrode, the active electrode, and the first conductive hollowtube to an RF electrosurgical generator for activating the ultrapolarelectrosurgery pencil.

In another exemplary embodiment of the ultrapolar telescopicelectrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability of the presentinvention, the ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil with argon beamcapability is telescopic and includes a handpiece member having firstand second ends and a channel contained therein where the handpiecemember functions as a hollow telescopic member, an electrosurgery bladeassembly positioned within the first end of the handpiece member wherethe electrosurgery blade assembly includes a non-conductive planarmember with opposing planar sides and a sharp cutting edge, a returnelectrode located on one opposing planar side, an active electrodelocated on the other opposing planar side, and a non-conductive hollowtube member positioned over a top of the non-conductive planar memberand at least a portion of the return electrode, a first conductivehollow tube having a first end and a second end where at least a portionof the first conductive hollow tube is concentrically contained withinthe non-conductive hollow tube member of the electrosurgery bladeassembly such that the first end of the first conductive hollow tube ispositioned near the first end of the non-conductive hollow tube member,a flexible non-conductive tube contained within at least a portion ofthe ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil which provides a gas to the firstconductive hollow tube, a plurality of electrical conductors (such aswires) for connecting the return electrode, the active electrode, andthe first conductive hollow tube to an RF electrosurgical generator foractivating the ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil, a second handpiecemember with a second channel having first and second ends and opposingcontact members positioned along an internal length of the secondhandpiece member such that the opposing contact members are located onan interior surface of the second handpiece member that defines thesecond channel wherein the second end of the handpiece memberfunctioning as the hollow telescopic member is contained within thesecond handpiece member, a second conductive hollow tube containedwithin the second channel of the second handpiece member where thesecond conductive hollow tube is in telescopic communication with thefirst conductive hollow tube member contained within the handpiecemember functioning as the hollow telescopic member, an active slidablecontact member located on an exterior surface of the handpiece memberfunctioning as the hollow telescopic member where the active slidablecontact member is in communication with both the active electrode andone of the opposing contact members located on the interior surface ofthe second handpiece member, and a return slidable contact memberlocated on an exterior surface of the handpiece member functioning asthe hollow telescopic member where the return slidable contact member isin communication with both the return electrode and the other opposingcontact member located on the interior surface of the second handpiecemember.

The telescopic communication of the second conducive hollow tube and thefirst conductive hollow tube may result in the second conductive hollowtube having a diameter smaller than the first conductive hollow tube toenable the second conductive hollow tube to slide within the firstconductive hollow tube. Alternatively, the telescopic communication ofthe second conductive hollow tube and the first conductive hollow tubemay result in the first conductive hollow tube having a diameter smallerthan the second conductive hollow tube to enable the first conductivehollow tube to slide within the second conductive hollow tube. Theultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beam capabilityof the present invention may also include additional elements including,but not limited to, at least one support member for retaining the firstconductive hollow tube within the channel of the handpiece memberfunctioning as the hollow telescopic member where the same supportmember may further retain the active slidable contact and the returnslidable contact on an exterior of the hollow telescopic member, and atleast one support member for retaining the second conductive hollow tubewithin the second channel of the second handpiece member.

The terms electrode, contact, and contact member are usedinterchangeably throughout this specification to refer to conductiveelements. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that theactive and return electrodes/contacts/contact members as depicted in allof the drawing figures may be reversed—i.e. theelectrodes/contact/contact members shown as activeelectrodes/contacts/contact members could be returnelectrodes/contacts/contact members and the electrodes/contacts/contactmembers shown as return electrodes/contacts/contact members could beactive electrodes/contacts/contact members. Reversing the types ofelectrodes/contacts/contact members would still result in the ultrapolartelescopic and non-telescopic electrosurgery pencils with argon beamcapability having the same functional features and advantages.

The ultrapolar electrosurgery blade assembly in both the telescopic andnon-telescopic ultrapolar electrosurgery pencils of the presentinvention may also include a return conductive insert and an activeconductive insert both attached to an end of the non-conductive planarmember located opposite the sharp cutting edge wherein the returnconductive insert is in communication with the return electrode and theactive conductive insert is in communication with the active electrode.In the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the presentinvention, the return conductive insert is also in communication withthe return slidable contact member and the active conductive insert isalso in communication with the active slidable contact member.

In addition, the return electrode of the electrosurgery blade assemblyin the ultrapolar telescopic and non-telescopic electrosurgery pencilswith argon beam capacity may comprise a conductive return layer and aconductive return projection extending from the conductive return layerwhere the conductive return projection is located within thenon-conductive hollow tube member of the electrosurgery blade assemblyand the first conductive hollow tube may include a conductive activeprojection extending from an end of the first conductive hollow tubemember that is contained within the non-conductive hollow tube member ofthe electrosurgery blade assembly. This configuration would result in agas, such as argon gas, that is passed through the first conductivehollow tube member and the non-conductive hollow tube member to beionized by the conductive active projection of the first conductivehollow tube and the conductive return projection of the return electrodethereby resulting in providing an ionized gas for cutting or coagulatingtissue.

The non-conductive hollow tube member and the non-conductive planarmember of the electrosurgery blade assembly may each comprise a ceramic.The first conductive hollow tube and the second conductive hollow tubemay be comprised of brass. Further, the non-conductive hollow tubemember of the electrosurgery blade assembly may be positioned outside ofthe first end of the handpiece member in the non-telescopic pencilembodiment or the handpiece member that functions as the hallowtelescopic member in the telescopic pencil embodiment. In addition, oneor both of the first conductive hollow tube and the second conductivehollow tube may be insulated about their exterior outer surfaces.Further, the ultrapolar telescopic and non-telescopic electrosurgerypencils with argon beam capability of the present invention may alsoinclude a nozzle member which may be incorporated into the first end ofthe handpiece in the non-telescopic pencil embodiment and the first endof the handpiece that functions as the hollow telescopic member in thetelescopic pencil embodiment. Still further, the nozzle member may bedetachable and/or transparent.

It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that the returnelectrode in the telescopic pencil embodiment may be connected to aconductive tube within the handpiece member functioning as the hollowtelescopic member that is telescopically engaged with a solid conductiverod within the second handpiece member as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 ofincorporated provisional patent application having Ser. No. 62/404,292and utility patent application having Ser. No. 15/725,640. The presentinvention may also incorporate and/or substitute other embodiments ofelements shown in FIGS 3 and 4 of the patent applications having Ser.Nos. 62/404,292 and 15/725,640 that have similar functions to thoseelements which comprise the present invention. Embodiments of elementsshown in FIG. 5 of Ser. No. 62/404,292 and Ser. No. 15/725,640 may alsobe incorporated and/or substituted for other embodiments of elementsincluded in the present invention that have similar functions.

It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that functionalelements (including the electrosurgery blade assembly) contained within,or contained partially within, the channel of the handpiece memberfunctioning as the hollow telescopic member and/or the channel of thesecond handpiece member can be positioned in such a way as to enablesmoke and debris created at the surgical site to be evacuated throughthe interior of the channel of the handpiece member functioning as thehollow telescopic member and the channel of the second handpiece memberby connecting the second end of the handpiece member or second handpiecemember, or connecting the swivel member, to an evacuation tube which isin turn connected to a vacuum source. Accordingly, the ultrapolartelescopic and non-telescopic electrosurgery pencils with argon beamcapability also have the ability to evacuate smoke and debris from thesurgical site.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an ultrapolarelectrosurgery blade assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of theultrapolar electrosurgery blade assembly in FIG. 1 shown rotated 180degrees to show the active and return electrodes located on oppositesides of the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an ultrapolarelectrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability of the presentinvention which shows the interior elements of the electrosurgery penciland a swivel member which may be connected to the end of the ultrapolarelectrosurgery pencil for facilitating use of the pencil whileevacuating smoke and debris through the pencil and away from thesurgical site by attaching a vacuum tube to the swivel member; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of theultrapolar electrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability depicted inFIG. 3 shown rotated 180 degrees to show the active and returnelectrodes of the electrosurgery blade assembly used in the ultrapolarelectrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability located on oppositesides of the electrosurgery blade assembly.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of anultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beam capabilityof the present invention which shows the interior elements of theelectrosurgery pencil; and

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the exemplary embodiment ofthe ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beamcapability depicted in FIG. 5 shown rotated 180 degrees to show theactive and return electrodes of the electrosurgery blade assembly usedin the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beamcapability located on opposite sides of the electrosurgery bladeassembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The exemplary embodiments of the ultrapolar telescopic andnon-telescopic electrosurgery pencils with argon beam capability of thepresent invention for use in electrosurgical unit (ESU) monopolar andbipolar modes enable a user or surgeon to perform cutting with the sharpnon-conductive tip of the electrosurgery blade of the pencil as well ascoagulation of large areas of biological tissue by using the electricalcontacts of the electrosurgery blade. The ultrapolar telescopic andnon-telescopic electrosurgery pencils with argon beam capability of thepresent invention may also perform cutting with the active and returnelectrodes of the electrosurgery blade. In addition, a user or surgeoncan use the ultrapolar telescopic and non-telescopic electrosurgerypencils with argon beam capability of the present invention to cut andcoagulate tissue using ionized gas such as ionized argon gas. Further, auser or surgeon can use the ultrapolar telescopic and non-telescopicelectrosurgery pencils of the present invention to simultaneously cuttissue with the sharp non-conductive edge of the electrosurgery bladewhile coagulating tissue using ionized gas.

Exemplary embodiments of the ultrapolar telescopic and non-telescopicelectrosurgery pencils having argon beam capability of the presentinvention include an ultrapolar electrosurgery blade assembly that has anon-conductive planar member having opposing planar sides and a sharpcutting edge, a return electrode located on one opposing planar side, anactive electrode located on the opposite planar side, and anon-conductive hollow tube member positioned over a top of thenon-conductive planar member and at least a portion of the returnelectrode. The return electrode may include a conductive return layerand a conductive return projection that is located within thenon-conductive hollow tube member that enables a gas supplied from aconductive hollow tube to enter into the non-conductive hollow tubemember to be ionized as it comes into contact with a conductive activeprojection extending from the conductive hollow tube and the conductivereturn projection of the return electrode. The cutting edge of thenon-conductive planar member can form a sharp non-conductive cuttingedge for cutting biological tissue while the active and returnelectrodes located on opposite planar side of the non-conductive membercan be used to perform coagulation as well as cutting of biologicaltissue.

The identity of the elements/features that relate to the referencenumbers shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are as follows:

10 electrosurgery blade assembly

12 non-conductive planar member

14 opposing planar sides

16 sharp cutting edge

18 active electrode

20 return electrode

22 non-conductive hollow tube member

24 return conductive insert

26 active conductive insert

28 end of non-conductive planar member opposite sharp cutting edge

The identity of the elements/features that relate to the referencenumbers shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are as follows:

100 ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability

110 electrosurgery blade assembly

112 non-conductive planar member

114 opposing planar sides

116 sharp cutting edge

118 active electrode

120 return electrode

121 conductive layer (on return electrode)

122 non-conductive hollow tube member

123 conductive projection (on return electrode)

124 return conductive insert (for connecting electrosurgery bladeassembly to RF electrical generator [also known as an electrosurgicalunit or ESU] for cutting with blade assembly and for ionization of gas)

126 active conductive insert (for connecting electrosurgery bladeassembly to circuit board which is in turn connected to RF electricalgenerator for activating the ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil 100)

128 end of non-conductive planar member opposite sharp cutting edge

130 handpiece member

132 channel

134, 136 first and second ends (of handpiece 130)

137 nozzle member (connected to first end of handpiece, can be removableand/or transparent)

138 first conductive hollow tube

140, 142 first and second ends (of first conductive hollow tube 138)

146 conductive projection (extending from end of first conductive hollowtube 138 contained within non-conductive hollow tube member 122; gas(e.g. argon gas) is ionized between conductive projection 123 andconductive projection 146)

148 flexible, non-conductive tube (e.g. plastic) for supplying gas (e.g.argon gas) to first conductive hollow tube 138

150 active wire form RF electrosurgical generator extends throughflexible non-conductive tube 148 and is connected to first conductivehollow tube 138 (for ionization of gas, such as argon gas)

152 circuit board (for activating ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil withargon beam capability 100)

154 active wire for connecting active electrode 118 of electrosurgeryblade assembly 110 to circuit board 152

155 active wire for connecting circuit board 152 to RF electrosurgicalgenerator

156 swivel member (connected to second end 136 of handpiece member 130)

The identity of the elements/features that relate to the referencenumbers shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are as follows:

200 ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beamcapability

210 electrosurgery blade assembly

212 non-conductive planar member

214 opposing planar sides

216 sharp cutting edge

218 active electrode

220 return electrode

221 conductive layer (on return electrode)

222 non-conductive hollow tube member

223 conductive projection (on return electrode)

224 return conductive insert (for connecting electrosurgery bladeassembly to RF electrical generator [also known as an electrosurgicalunit or ESU] for cutting with blade assembly and for ionization of gas)

226 active conductive insert (for connecting electrosurgery bladeassembly to circuit board which is in turn connected to RF electricalgenerator for activating ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 200and enabling, among other actions, cutting with blade assembly using lowpower)

228 end of non-conductive planar member opposite sharp cutting edge

230 second handpiece member

232 second channel

234, 236 first and second ends (of second handpiece member 230)

238, 240 opposing contact members (located along opposite interiorlengths of second handpiece member 230)

242 second conductive hollow tube

244 handpiece member functioning as hollow telescopic member

245 channel

246, 248 first and second ends (of handpiece member functioning ashollow telescopic member 244)

250 nozzle of handpiece member functioning as hollow telescopic member244 (can be removable and/or transparent)

252 active slidable contact (for active electrode on blade assembly;slides within and/or along opposing contact member 238)

254 return slidable contact (for return electrode on blade assembly;slides within and/or along opposing contact member 240)

256 first conductive hollow tube (contained within handpiece memberfunctioning as hollow telescopic member 244 and at least a portioncontained within non-conductive hollow tube member of electrosurgeryblade assembly 210)

258 conductive projection (extending from end of first conductive hollowtube 256 contained within non-conductive hollow tube member 222; gas(e.g. argon gas) is ionized between conductive projection 223 andconductive projection 258)

260 first support member for first conductive hollow tube 256 (may alsosupport active slidable contact 252 and return slidable contact 254)

262 second support member for second conductive hollow tube 242

264 swivel member (connected to second end 236 of second handpiecemember 230)

266 circuit board (for activating ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgerypencil with argon beam capability 200)

268 active wire from RF electrosurgical generator to circuit board (foractivating ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beamcapability 200)

269 wire connected to return electrode 220 which in turn is connected toRF electrosurgical generator

270 active wire from RF electrosurgical generator connected to secondconductive hollow tube 242 which is in turn connected to firstconductive hollow tube 256 (for ionization of gas, such as argon gas)

272 flexible, non-conductive tube for supplying gas (such as argon gas)from gas source to second conductive hollow tube 242 which is in turnconnected to first conductive hollow tube 256

FIGS. 1 and 2 are opposing perspective views of an exemplary embodimentof an ultrapolar electrosurgery blade assembly 10 that comprises part ofthe ultrapolar telescopic and non-telescopic electrosurgery pencils ofthe present invention. Electrosurgery blade assembly 10 includes anon-conductive planar member 12 having opposing planar sides 14 and asharp cutting edge 16, a return electrode 20 located on one opposingplanar side 14, an active electrode 18 located on the opposite planarside 14, and a non-conductive hollow tube member 22 positioned over atop of the non-conductive planar member 12 and at least a portion of thereturn electrode 20. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, return electrode 20includes a conductive layer 121, 221 and a conductive projection 123,223 extending from the conductive layer 121, 221 such that the conduciveprojection 123, 223 is located within the non-conductive hollow tubemember 122, 222. Ultrapolar electrosurgery blade assembly 10 alsoincludes a return conductive insert 24 and an active conductive insert26 that are both attached to an end 28 of the non-conductive planarmember 12 located opposite the sharp cutting edge 16 such that thereturn conductive insert 24 is in communication with the returnelectrode 20 and the active conductive insert 26 is in communicationwith the active electrode 18.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an ultrapolarelectrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability 100 of the presentinvention which shows the interior elements of the electrosurgery penciland a swivel member 156 which may be connected to the end 136 of theultrapolar electrosurgery pencil 100 for facilitating use of the pencilwhile evacuating smoke and debris through the pencil and away from thesurgical site by attaching a vacuum tube to the swivel member 156. Aperspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the ultrapolarelectrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability 100 depicted in FIG. 3shown rotated 180 degrees to show the active and return electrodes 118,120 of the electrosurgery blade assembly used in the ultrapolarelectrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability 100 located on oppositesides of the electrosurgery blade assembly is shown in FIG. 4.

The ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability 100 isnon-telescopic and includes a handpiece member 130 having a first end134, a second end 136, and a channel 132 contained therein, anelectrosurgery blade assembly 110 positioned within the first end 134 ofthe handpiece member 130 where the electrosurgery blade assembly 110includes a non-conductive planar member 112 with opposing planar sides114 and a sharp cutting edge 116, a return electrode 120 located on oneopposing planar side 114, an active electrode 118 located on the otheropposing planar side 114, and a non-conductive hollow tube member 122positioned over a top of the non-conductive planar member 112 and atleast a portion of the return electrode 120, a first conductive hollowtube 138 having a first end 140 and a second end 142 where at least aportion of the first conductive hollow tube 138 is concentricallycontained within the non-conductive hollow tube member 122 of theelectrosurgery blade assembly 110 such that the first end 140 of thefirst conductive hollow tube 138 is positioned near the first end of thenon-conductive hollow tube member 122, a flexible non-conductive tube148 contained within at least a portion of the ultrapolar electrosurgerypencil 100 which provides a gas to the first conductive hollow tube 138,and a plurality of electrical conductors (such as wires 150, 154, 155)for connecting the return electrode 120, the active electrode 118, acircuit board 152, and the first conductive hollow tube 138 to an RFelectrosurgical generator for activating the ultrapolar electrosurgerypencil 100.

The first conductive hollow tube 138 includes a conductive projection146 and the return electrode 120 includes a conductive projection 123where both the conductive projections 123, 146 are contained within thenon-conductive hollow tube member 122 of the ultrapolar electrosurgeryblade assembly 110. The return electrode may include a conductive layer121 where the conductive projection 123 extends form the conductivelayer 121 and the conductive projection 123 is located within thenon-conductive hollow tube member 122. The ultrapolar electrosurgeryblade assembly 110 includes a return conductive insert 124 and an activeconductive insert 126 that are both attached to an end 128 ofnon-conductive planar member 112 located opposite sharp cutting edge 116and return conductive insert 124 is in communication with returnelectrode 120 and active conductive insert 126 is in communication withactive electrode 118.

Handpiece member 130 may include a nozzle member 137 connected to thefirst end 134 of handpiece member 130 and nozzle member 137 may beremovable and/or transparent. The non-conductive planar member 112 andthe non-conductive hollow tube member 122 of ultra polar electrosurgeryblade assembly 110 may be made of a ceramic material while the firstconductive hollow tube 138 may be made of brass.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of anultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability200 of the present invention which shows the interior elements of theelectrosurgery pencil. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of theexemplary embodiment of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencilwith argon beam capability 200 depicted in FIG. 5 shown rotated 180degrees to show the active and return electrodes 218, 220 of theelectrosurgery blade assembly 210 used in the ultrapolar telescopicelectrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability 200 located on oppositesides of the electrosurgery blade assembly 210.

The telescopic ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil with argon beamcapability 200 includes a handpiece member 244 having first and secondends 246, 248 and a channel 245 contained therein where the handpiecemember 244 functions as a hollow telescopic member, an electrosurgeryblade assembly 210 positioned within the first end 246 of the handpiecemember 244 where the electrosurgery blade assembly 210 includes anon-conductive planar member 212 with opposing planar sides 214 and asharp cutting edge 216, a return electrode 220 located on one opposingplanar side 214, an active electrode 218 located on the other opposingplanar side 214, and a non-conductive hollow tube member 222 positionedover a top of the non-conductive planar member 212 and at least aportion of the return electrode 220, a first conductive hollow tube 256having a first end and a second end where at least a portion of thefirst conductive hollow tube 256 is concentrically contained within thenon-conductive hollow tube member 222 of the electrosurgery bladeassembly 210 such that the first end of the first conductive hollow tube256 is positioned near the first end of the non-conductive hollow tubemember 222, a flexible non-conductive tube 272 contained within at leasta portion of the ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil 200 which provides agas to the first conductive hollow tube 256, and a plurality ofelectrical conductors (such as wires 268, 269, 270) for connecting thereturn electrode 220, the active electrode 218, and the first conductivehollow tube 256 to an RF electrosurgery generator for activating theultrapolar electrosurgery pencil 200. The ultrapolar telescopicelectrosurgery pencil 200 further includes a second handpiece member 230with a second channel 232 having first and second ends 234, 236 andopposing contact members 238, 240 positioned along an internal length ofthe second handpiece member 230 such that the opposing contact members238, 240 are located on an interior surface of the second handpiecemember 230 that defines the second channel 232. The second end 248 ofthe handpiece member 244 which functions us the hollow telescopic memberis contained within the second handpiece member 230. A second conductivehollow tube 242 is contained within the second channel 232 of the secondhandpiece member 230 and the second conductive hollow tube 242 is intelescopic communication with the first conductive hollow tube 256contained within the handpiece member 244 which functions as the hollowtelescopic member. An active slidable contact member 252 is located onan exterior surface of the handpiece member 244 that functions as thehollow telescopic member and the active slidable contact member 252 isin communication with both the active electrode 218 and one of theopposing contact members 238 located on the interior surface of thesecond handpiece member 230. A return slidable contact member 254 islocated on an exterior surface of the handpiece member 244 whichfunctions as the hollow telescopic member and the return slidablecontact member 254 is in communication with both the return electrode220 and the other opposing contact member 240 located on the interiorsurface of the second handpiece member 230.

The telescopic communication of the second conductive hollow tube 242and the first conductive hollow tube 256 may result in the secondconductive hollow tube 242 having a diameter smaller than the firstconductive hollow tube 256 to enable the second conductive hollow tube242 to slide within the first conductive hollow tube 256. The ultrapolarelectrosurgery blade assembly 210 includes a return conductive insert224 and an active conductive insert 226 both attached to an end 228 ofthe non-conductive planar member 212 located opposite the sharp cuttingedge 216. The return conductive insert 224 is in communication with thereturn electrode 220 and the return slidable contact member 252 and theactive conductive insert is in communication with the active electrode218 and the active slidable contact member 252.

The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beamcapability 200 of the present invention also includes a first supportmember 260 for retaining the first conductive hollow tube 256 within thechannel 245 of the handpiece member 244 which functions as the hollowtelescopic member and the first support member 260 further retains theactive slidable contact 252 and the return slidable contact 254 on anexterior of the hollow telescopic member 244. The ultrapolar telescopicelectrosurgery pencil also includes a second support member 262 forretaining the second conductive hollow tube 242 within the secondchannel 232 of the second handpiece member 230. The flexiblenon-conductive tube 272 is connected to second conductive hollow tube242 which is in turn connected to the first conductive hollow tube 256.

The first conductive hollow tube 256 includes a conductive projection258 and the return electrode 220 includes a conductive projection 223where both the conductive projections 223, 256 are contained within thenon-conductive hollow tube member 222 of the ultrapower electrosurgeryblade assembly 210. The return electrode may include a conductive layer221 where the conductive projection 223 extends form the conductivelayer 221 and the conductive projection 223 is located within thenon-conductive hollow tube member 222. Handpiece member 244 functioningas the hollow telescopic member may include a nozzle member 250connected to the first end 246 of handpiece member 244 and nozzle member250 may be removable and/or transparent. The non-conductive planarmember 212 and the non-conductive hollow tube member 222 of ultrapolarelectrosurgery blade assembly 210 may be made of a ceramic materialwhile the first and second conductive hollow tubes 256, 242 may be madeof brass.

The above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention showsvarious exemplary embodiments of the invention. These exemplaryembodiments and modes are described and shown in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the invention and are notintended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of theinvention in any way. Rather, the disclosure is intended to teach boththe implementation of the exemplary embodiments and modes and anyequivalent modes or embodiments that are known or obvious to thosereasonably skilled in the art. Additionally, all included examples arenon-limiting illustration of the exemplary embodiments and modes, whichsimilarly avail themselves to any equivalent modes or embodiments thatare know or obvious to those reasonably skilled in the art.

Other combinations and/or modifications of structures, arrangements,applications, proportions, elements, materials, or components used inthe practice of the instant invention, in addition to those notspecifically recited, can be varied or otherwise particularly adapted tospecific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters,or other operating requirements without departing from the scope of theinstant invention and are intended to be included in this disclosure.

Unless specifically noted, it is the Applicant's intent that the wordsand phrases in the specification and the claims be given the commonlyaccepted generic meaning or an ordinary and accustomed meaning used bythose of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. In the instance wherethese meanings differ, the words and phrases in the specification andthe claims should be given the broadest possible, generic meaning. Ifany other special meaning is intended for any word or phrase, thespecification will clearly state and define the special meaning.

1. An ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil with argon beam capabilitycomprising: a handpiece member having a first end, a second end, and achannel contained therein; an electrosurgery blade assembly positionedwithin the first end of the handpiece member wherein the electrosurgeryblade assembly includes a non-conductive planar member with opposingplanar sides and a sharp cutting edge, a return electrode located on oneopposing planar side, an active electrode located on the other opposingplanar side, and a non-conductive hollow tube member positioned over atop of the non-conductive planar member and at least a portion of thereturn electrode; a first conductive hollow tube having a first end anda second end wherein at least a portion of the first conductive hollowtube is concentrically contained within the non-conductive hollow tubemember of the electrosurgery blade assembly such that the first end ofthe first conductive hollow tube is positioned near the first end of thenon-conductive hollow tube member; a flexible non-conductive tubecontained within at least a portion of the ultrapolar electrosurgerypencil which provides a gas to the first conductive hollow tube; and aplurality of electrical conductors for connecting the return electrode,the active electrode, and the first conductive hollow tube to an RFelectrosurgical generator for activating the ultrapolar electrosurgerypencil.
 2. The ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil of claim 1 wherein thefirst conductive hollow tube includes a conductive projection and thereturn electrode of the electrosurgery blade assembly includes aconductive projection wherein both conductive projections are containedwithin the non-conductive hollow tube member of the electrosurgery bladeassembly.
 3. The ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil of claim 1 wherein thehandpiece member comprises a nozzle member connected to the first end ofthe handpiece member.
 4. The ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil of claim 3wherein the nozzle member is removable.
 5. The ultrapolar electrosurgerypencil of claim 3 wherein the nozzle member is transparent.
 6. Theultrapolar electrosurgery pencil of claim 1 wherein the non-conductiveplanar member and the non-conductive hollow tube member of theelectrosurgery blade assembly comprise a ceramic material.
 7. Theultrapolar electrosurgery pencil of claim 1 wherein the first conductivehollow tube comprises brass.
 8. The ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil ofclaim 1 wherein the return electrode of the electrosurgery bladeassembly comprises a conductive layer and a conductive projectionextending from the conductive layer wherein the conductive projection islocated within the non-conductive hollow tube member.
 9. The ultrapolarelectrosurgery pencil of claim 1 wherein the electrosurgery bladeassembly further comprises a return conductive insert and an activeconductive insert both attached to an end of the non-conductive planarmember located opposite the sharp cutting edge wherein the returnconductive insert is in communication with the return electrode and theactive conductive insert is in communication with the active electrode.10. The ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability ofclaim 1 further having a telescoping ability to provide an ultrapolartelescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability wherein thehandpiece member functions as a hollow telescopic member and theultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beam capabilityfurther comprises: a second handpiece member with a second channelhaving first and second ends and opposing contact members positionedalong an internal length of the second handpiece member such that theopposing contact members located on an interior surface of the secondhandpiece member that defines the second channel wherein the second endof the handpiece member functioning as the hollow telescopic member iscontained within the second handpiece member; a second conductive hollowtube contained within the second channel of the second handpiece memberwhere the second conductive hollow tube is in telescopic communicationwith the first conductive hollow tube member contained within thehandpiece member functioning as the hollow telescopic member; an activeslidable contact member located on an exterior surface of the handpiecemember functioning as the hollow telescopic member where the activeslidable contact member is in communication with both the activeelectrode and one of the opposing contact members located on theinterior surface of the second handpiece member; and a return slidablecontact member located on an exterior surface of the handpiece memberfunctioning as the hollow telescopic member where the return slidablecontact member is in communication with both the return electrode andthe other opposing contact member located on the interior surface of thesecond handpiece member.
 11. The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgerypencil of claim 10 wherein the flexible non-conductive tube is connectedto the second conductive hollow tube.
 12. The ultrapolar telescopicelectrosurgery pencil of claim 10 wherein the first hollow conductivetube includes a conductive projection and the return electrode of theelectrosurgery blade assembly includes a conductive projection whereinboth conductive projections are contained within the non-conductivehollow tube member of the electrosurgery blade assembly.
 13. Theultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of claim 10 wherein thehandpiece member functioning as the hollow telescopic member comprises anozzle member connected to the first end of the handpiece memberfunctioning as the hollow telescopic member.
 14. The ultrapolartelescopic electrosurgery pencil of claim 10 further comprising a firstsupport member for supporting the first conductive hollow tube withinthe channel of the handpiece member functioning as the hollow telescopicmember and a second support member for supporting the second conductivehollow tube within the second channel of the second handpiece member.15. The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of claim 14 whereinthe first support member further supports at least one of the active andreturn slidable contacts.
 16. The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgerypencil of claim 10 wherein the return electrode of the electrosurgeryblade assembly comprises a conductive layer and a conductive projectionextending from the conductive layer wherein the conductive projection islocated within the non-conductive hollow tube member.
 17. The ultrapolartelescopic electrosurgery pencil of claim 10 wherein the electrosurgeryblade assembly further comprises a return conductive insert and anactive conductive insert both attached to an end of the non-conductiveplanar member located opposite the sharp cutting edge wherein the returnconductive insert is in communication with the return electrode and theactive conductive insert is in communication with the active electrode.18. An ultrapolar electrosurgery blade assembly comprising: anon-conductive planar member having opposing planar sides and a sharpcutting edge; a return electrode located on one opposing planar side; anactive electrode located on the opposite planar side; and anon-conductive hollow tube member positioned over a top of thenon-conductive planar member and at least a portion of the returnelectrode.
 19. The ultrapolar electrosurgery blade assembly of claim 18wherein the return electrode comprises a conductive layer and aconductive projection extending from the conductive layer wherein theconductive projection is located within the non-conductive hollow tubemember.
 20. The ultrapolar electrosurgery blade assembly of claim 18further comprising a return conductive insert and an active conductiveinsert both attached to an end of the non-conductive planar memberlocated opposite the sharp cutting edge wherein the return conductiveinsert is in communication with the return electrode and the activeconductive insert is in communication with the active electrode.